The National tribune., 1887-06-16
DEPARTMENT NEWS.
ARIZONA.


George Hopworth Flagstaff Memorial services
were conducted here Ia conformity with the simple
but solemn and beautiful rites of our Order, by
Ransom Post Col. ID. i. Hart, Commander assist
an's Relief Corps aud the patriotic ladies and cili
rene OF The community, The Grafton OF the day,
delivered by Geo. III. Tinker, Past Commander Of
Barrett Post, Prescott, Of intense interest
aud Teplete with the lofty sentiments engendcred by
the sacred day. Hon. ID. j. Bunnen also made an
eloquent aud feeling address. The MOmans Relief
Corps of san Francisco and Los Angeles kindly
sent us AN abundant supply OF hOwers which were
sTewn on the graves OF our brave and honorcd
dead by liberal and tender hands.
ARKANSAS
Fred. J. Dean Fort Smith: have before me a
long printed article, which Is evidently being ex-
tensivcly circulated throughout the GAR of the
country, with a purpose 10 expose some alleged
bogus Grand Army organization ia the State of
Indiana. Ia opens with an editorial taken from the
H,ferdfs ReuiesU Of March s. sS7, la which IL prom
Used the early publication IA that paper of true
history of te early days OF the Grand Army OF the
Republic. from the pen OF Maj. Oliver M Wilson"
Then follows "A long personal explanatory letter
from Maj. Wilson 10 the indianapolis keUS in
which, willie he IL doubtless honest in his efforts
10 crush the bogus Indiana concern, whatever IL
may be, aud tries 90 stick closely TO the facts
viewed by him yet lac enters into many grave
errors in has assumption OF the facts IA the case
aud, Inadvertently perhaps, would pluck the lau-
rel wreath from the eshless skull of the deceased
founder Of our glorious Order, and place IL upon
the living head OF another brave and true soldier
but who D. M mo- sense entitled 60 wear the crown
of glory, az the author OF the grandest orRnniza.
dion known 10 the civilized world. II Mai. Wilson
will but take the trouble 10 examine the first few
pages Of tic Blue Book, a recognized authority 81
our Order. lac will readily see wherein lac errs ia
hls statement. AZ a happy and to-beenvied par
ucipant in the FIRST organization Of the G.A.R,
may be permitted 10 relate the exact facts brief,
ar the Importance OF the subject will warrant
have not the data before me- and write from my
own personal recollection OF the events they oc
Cured, and they will not differ materially from
written statements furnished by me 10 Stephenson
tgkA NrN aU aud kaltl
arc now on record Ia their books Maj. Wilson
writes The Grand Army Of the Republic -da.
b. the same That Gen. Robert = Foster institutes
and inaugurated Ia August, 1866, in this city.
~ ~ had not beea FOR the zeal, pluck an
generRlship Of Gen. II. = Foster, we would proba
Republic He started IT,"
Now as 90 the facts. In the early Winter month
Of lsG5-0 Mai. Benz. D. Stephenson who had serve
his country a. a Surgeon, and with whom ] ha
been on terms OF intimacy from boybood, fro
quenily told me ia Springfield, H., where we wer
both living after our muster-out OF service Ia tl
FALL Of 1865, that lac wBs formulating plans for Ia
organization OF a society, the membership {
which should include only hOn0rably din
charged Union soldiers and sailors OF the late wa
] paid but little attention 10 his remarks at III
time, but on a sabbath afternoon la February, lsG
met DIR. Stephenson on the street, and lac AT one
invited me 10 his Office, saying that az ] ha
considerable experience Journalist j coul
assist linn materially in formulating hs rouR
Notes, aud getting them la proper shape as has
Tor llis contemplated organization. Together "
repaired 10 hls Office la the Springer Block, whel
we found his two medical partners, Drs Allan an
Hamilton who had also served az Surgeons la a
volunteer branch OF the Union army. From a
accumulated mass of rough notes made by ID
stephenson, we pruncd and culled, aud final
formulated the first Constitution. Bylaws an
musiefln Service OF the Grand Army Of the II
public, 10y which name the organization was chris
ened by NE author. DT. Stephenson then conferrt
upon Drs. Allan and Hamilton aud upon mys,
the nfsi obligation ever taken by human beings
the Grand Army Of the Republic. Dr. Allan ths
conferred ihe obligation upon Dr. Stephenson "a
thus we four secured the immortal prize of leadin
AZ mustered recruits, the Grand Army Of Il
Republic. Three are gons-musiered out
alone OF the four remain. The notes Of II
Stephenson, ar compiled on hat OCCASION we
written out IA full by myself. DR.. Stephense
was an enthusiast, aud threw his whole soul la
the grand work Of lar life. lie gathered the O
soldiers under biE wing as he found them, aud "a
administered the obligation upon them whenev